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The Gotham villains are showing their dark side. It was only a matter of time before even the most mild-mannered villain in the bunch let his or her evil side out. Some have tiptoed the line between good and evil on Fox’s Gotham (the Riddler! Catwoman!) and it’s made for a lot of inner conflict. But now a spark has presented itself that can change the game in Gotham City.

“By Fire” picks up right where the last episode of Gotham ended: The police are looking for Bridgit Pike (aka Firefly) after she accidentally set a police officer on fire and killed him. Bridgit seeks helps from the only friend she has left while the other villains in Gotham City are putting their plans into action.

As in my previous Gotham rankings, the standout Gotham (and Batman) villains from this week’s episode will be ranked for their villainous ways in Gotham City and their rise to power.

Let’s start at the worst:

FUMBLING FOES

10. Ivy Pepper (aka Poison Ivy)

The nature-loving future villainess has kept quiet. She’s hidden in the background while the bigger characters have explored the dark streets of Gotham City and caused mayhem. The only time Ivy appears in the episode is when she sells out Selina’s hideout for a chocolate bar. Seriously, a chocolate bar?! Ivy didn’t put up much of a fight to give in to that deal.

9. The Pike Brothers

The Pike Brothers created a monster and they didn’t even know it. After years of torturing their little sister, she finally fights back and gives them a taste of their own medicine. They kidnap her, torture her (they throw firecrackers at her), and intimidate her; however, it’s all a lie. Bridgit sets the boys on fire and kills her former tormentors! The Pike Brothers thought they were hot stuff, but they’re really just full of ash.

8. Barbara Kean

Barbara is another villain who is enjoying time in the background. She’s kept quiet since Jerome died a few episodes ago, and now she’s relegated herself to Theo’s apartment. She does experience some fun by adding a mallet to Butch’s hand, but for the most part, she’s keeping a low profile.

7. Butch Gilzean

Butch is still a puppet on a string. He follows Oswald’s orders to infiltrate Theo’s operations, which does work … for a time. Barbara and Tabitha enjoy adding weapons to his hand, but Theo can see through Butch’s lies. He unleashes Tabitha to torture Butch, and although he is able to get away, his cover has been blown.

PLENTY OF POTENTIAL

6. Edward Nygma (aka the Riddler)

Poor Edward Nygma! He thought everything was finally going his way—he has the girl of his dreams, who likes him back. Unfortunately for him, he has a dark side. He spills the beans to Kringle that he killed her abusive ex-boyfriend, and when she tries to escape, he accidentally kills her—Edward killed the woman he loves. He didn’t mean to do it, but this could be the spark that finally pushes him over the edge.

5. Oswald Cobblepot (aka the Penguin)

Oswald’s plan to topple Theo’s criminal tower is working. He sent Butch into Theo’s team to find the location of his kidnapped mother. The plan works for a while, but he gets caught. Butch and Oswald are on to the whereabouts of his missing mother, but we won’t know until the next episode whether this proves helpful or not.

4. Theo Galavan

Similar to Oswald, all the pieces for his plan are slowly coming together. He’s torturing city officials to gain support, manipulating powerful allies like Bruce Wayne, and using force against his enemies. His preparation is building up to a potential powerful move later on in the season.

THE BIG BADDIES

3. Tabitha Galavan (aka Tigress)

Tabitha is whipping her enemies into shape. She’s emerged from the background to be the threatening force for getting things done. She tortures the Congressman into supporting Theo’s political dreams, and when Butch is discovered, she brings out the whip to break his mind control. Tabitha, while not always the leader, is a dangerous villain, and part of the reason why Theo is succeeding in his plans.

2. Selina Kyle (aka Catwoman)

Selina has taken one big leap forward in the criminal world. She’s a cat burglar and thief; no one notices her when she pickpockets or steals stuff from unknowing victims. But this is the first week in a while where she shows force to get what she wants. She uses her acrobatics to take down a Pike Brother, and her catlike skills to break into the sex-trade auction to rob everyone at gunpoint. Selina may have worked with the Gotham City Police Department to save Bridgit, but for a few moments in this episode, Catwoman appeared.

1. Bridgit Pike (aka Firefly)

Bridgit is no longer the shy and innocent girl that she was last week—she’s not taking anyone’s abuse. She’s wearing her Firefly costume with pride and using her weapons to exact revenge through the streets of Gotham City. She destroys the auction, kills her abusive brothers, and stands up the GCPD. Unfortunately for her, her costume springs a leak and she bursts in flames. However, Bridgit is alive! She’s brought to a mysterious location to be treated, tested, and potentially made stronger. This is only the beginning of Bridgit’s villain career—and that’s why she’s in the top spot.

Which villains do you think are rising to the occasion? Share your thoughts below!

Expression Of JoyThe Brady Bunch: Groovy! The Bradys: Ritual hugging Married…With Children: ”Oh, great.” Thirtysomething: ”Of course I’m happy for you. Really. But what about me? Why does it always have to be about you? The Flintstones: ”Yabba-dabba doo

Expression Of Rage

The Brady Bunch: ”Hmmm…” The Bradys: ”If you back away from something you really want, then you’re a quitter!” (the angriest any Brady has ever been) Married…With Children: ”Aaagh, God, take me from this miserable life!” Thirtysomething: ”I’m not angry, OK?” The Flintstones: ”Willllmaaaa!”

Typical ProblemThe Brady Bunch: Marcia and her rival both want to be the prom queen. The Bradys: Bobby gets paralyzed. Married…With Children: Al doesn’t buy his family Christmas presents. Thirtysomething: Nancy gets cancer. The Flintstones: Fred and Barney are staying out too late.

Typical SolutionThe Brady Bunch: The prom committee decides to have two queens. The Bradys: Bobby gets married. Married…With Children: They hate him. Thirtysomething: If only we knew… The Flintstones: Wilma and Betty decide to follow them.

Attitude Toward SexThe Brady Bunch: Never heard of it The Bradys: Omigod — even Cindy does it! Married…With Children: Peg: Yes. Al: No. Thirtysomething: They didn’t get all those kids by accident. The Flintstones: Prehistoric

How Spouses FightThe Brady Bunch: They don’t. The Bradys: Infrequently, but it happens Married…With Children: Tooth and nail Thirtysomething: They stop talking The Flintstones: Fred and Barney go bowling while Wilma and Betty max out their charge cards.

How Kids Get Into TroubleThe Brady Bunch: Greg takes a puff of a cigarette. The Bradys: Carol’s grandson steals her business cards and sticks them in the spokes of Bobby’s wheelchair. Married…With Children: By committing felonies Thirtysomething: Ethan plays with a forbidden toy rocket. The Flintstones: They don’t.

How They’re Punished

The Brady Bunch: ”It’s not what you did, honey — it’s that you couldn’t come to us.” The Bradys ”Next time, ask.” Married…With Children: By the authorities Thirtysomething: It blows up in his face. The Flintstones: They’re not.

What Family Does For FunThe Brady Bunch: Takes special three-part vacations to Hawaii and the Grand Canyon The Bradys: Has flashbacks Married…With Children: Exchanges insults Thirtysomething: Talks The Flintstones: Attends showings of The Monster at the Bedrock Drive-In

Unsolved MysteriesThe Brady Bunch: How exactly did Carol’s first husband and Mike’s first wife die? The Bradys: What’s with Marcia’s new face and Bobby’s blonde hair Married…With Children: What kind of hair spray does Peg use? Thirtysomething: Why did Nancy take Elliot back? What do Gary and Susanna see in each other? The Flintstones: How does Barney’s shirt stay on if he has no shoulders? Where do Fred and Wilma plug in their TV?

Worst BehaviorThe Brady Bunch: The Brady children once made Alice feel under-appreciated.

Best Reason To WatchThe Brady Bunch: This is what life should be. The Bradys: They’re all grown-ups now! Married…With Children: Terry Rakolta hates it. Thirtysomething (Tie) This is your life. This isn’t your life. The Flintstones: This is what life might have been.

Best Reason Not To WatchThe Brady Bunch: Blurred vision from rerun overdoses. The Bradys: You’re all grown-ups now. Married…With Children: She has a point. Thirtysomething: After a while, you think it’s real. The Flintstones: The Simpsons